European tourism Gardens of Eden no 21: tourism revivals

Regenerated destinations: new life new tourism new tourists

Hamamönü-AltındaÄŸ Ankara (Turkey)

Hamamönü-AltındaÄŸ Ankara Each year Turkey offers up its rich heritage, diverse culture and mysterious legends to visitors from all over the world. An unforgettable adventure awaits anyone who visits Turkey, and the capital, Ankara, is a popular choice for many holidaymakers.

What you may not know is that Ankara also holds some of the country’s best kept secrets; spectacular locations that are yet to be discovered. One of them is the Hamamonu district in AltındaÄŸ (meaning ‘old Ankara’) in the middle of the city. Following a recent and remarkable res toration process, Hamamonu has reemerged as an attractive place to live in and visit. The district of Hamamonu is now a unique place that reflects both the traditional styles of the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish Republic. Located in the oldest part of the city, Hamamonu offers various leisure and shopping opportunities as well as cultural activities.

The regeneration of Hamamonu district became a priority for Ankara Cultural Tourism because of its historical interest and central location. Altındağ Municipality worked hard to restore the original charm of the district, attract inhabitants back and make it an interesting destination for tourists. Many buildings were reconstructed or completely rebuilt and several streets were pedestrianised. Since 2006, Hamamonu has seen restoration and expansion projects in 250 locations, including masjuds and mosques from the Seljuk era. An area of around 210 hectares was reconstructed and 33 sites were registered with the Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board. Today, Hamamonu is a popular place for locals and tourists alike, its treasures and history unveiled for a new generation to enjoy.

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Trasmiera Ecopark (Spain)

Trasmiera Ecopark Trasmiera Ecopark is a cultural and environmental project by Arnuero county. Arnuero is one of municipalities in the beautiful Cantabria region. The region is best known for its stunning beaches and warm climate.

However, the local authorities in Arnuero wanted to broaden its appeal as a holiday destination, whilst conserving the remarkable natural environment of the County. With this in mind, they decided to launch the Ecopark, a cultural and historical hub, often referred to as ‘an open-air museum’. The park, overlooked by lush forests and hills, is a wonderful showcase of what Arnuero has to offer; great natural environment, cultural heritage and history.
Regeneration and revival

The Trasmiera Ecopark initiative began in 1998. The project enlisted the support of several professionals: architects, historians, environmentalists and engineers. The overarching aim here was to maintain the historical identity of the region and restore its cultural heritage.

Several landmarks were regenerated and given a new purpose. For example, the Santolaja old tide mill was turned into an ‘Observatorio de las mareas’ or ‘Observatory of tides’ – an information center, educating visitors on coastal tides and its role in shaping the region. An old school was turned into an Observatorio del Arte (Art Observatory), which serves as an exhibition centre for local and international artist. World-famous artists, such as Cristobal Toral, Javier Perez, Jose Luis Sanchez, Gloria Torner and Roberto Orallo have had exhibitions here.

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Idrija (Slovenia)

Idrija The oldest Slovenian mining town of Idrija is situated in the western part of the country in Goriška Region. Famous for its mercury mine and lace making, Idrija is a fascinating destination with spectacular scenery. Picturesque mountains, pristine forests and Lake Wilde create a breath-taking landscape. Its rich cultural, natural and industrial heritage is treasured by local people proud of their history.

Rejuvenated cultural heritage attractions and well-preserved natural landmarks are attracting more and more visitors to the town. The areas surrounding Idrija offer various activities throughout the year, from fishing and skiing to hiking and swimming. There are numerous art galleries, museums and exhibition halls for Idrija’s lace-making school, which host vast collections dedicated to local history and crafts. And, if you’re feeling hungry, don’t forget to try some of local specialities such as idrijski žlikrofi, bakalca and smukavc.

After 500 years of operation the mercury mine closed, heavily impacting the local economy and employment prospects for people in Idrija. Since its closure, local authority projects have regenerated local land marks, attracting new tourists to Idrija, helping the local economy to recover and flourish. The projects were aimed at reviving industrial heritage and preserving the natural environment. New activities such as the Lace festival, sports marathons, new hiking and cycling routes, contribute to making Idrija such an interesting and unique destination.
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Faial Nature Park (Portugal)

Faial Nature Park Faial is an island in the Azores archipelago, located about 1,500 km west of Lisbon. It is one of nine islands that make up the archipelago, situated to the far west of the Central Group of the Archipelago. Travelling around the Island, you will find a fantastic diversity of flora, fauna, geological structures, culture and local traditions. Also on this beautiful island is Faial Nature Park, a truly unique spot with distinctive surroundings. The park is home to endangered species and rare plants.

The creation of the Faial Nature Park was a major step towards ensuring that the island’s treasures are managed responsibly and in a sustainable way. The park includes 13 protected areas that extend through 30 square kilometres of land and 189 square kilometres of sea. Recent measures to improve the park and make it more accessible to tourists include the opening of new cultural institutions and information points, with better information. The council also revised specific tour programs and excursions to ensure they met the needs and interest of the visitors. For example, the old groundskeeper’s house is now the main house of Faial Nature Park. Here, visitors can learn about the park, choose trails and learn about the local biodiversity. Similarly, the old whaling station (Fabrica da Baleia) was restored and converted into cultural and educational centre.

The areas surrounding the park are also worth exploring. Pico, the neighbouring island offers stunning views across its vineyards; the dark basalt terrain is a wonderful contrast to the white summit of the 2,350 meters high, snow covered volcano.

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Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Special Offers HERE

See also:

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